Ohio man sentenced for role in death of pregnant woman caught in crossfire

AKRON, Ohio (TCN) -- A 21-year-old man will spend at least 15 years behind bars for his role in the death of a pregnant woman who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting.

The Summit County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday, Dec. 11, that a judge sentenced Lenier Worthy to 15 to 19 1/2 years in prison after he previously pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter with a firearm and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle in connection with the death of Teyaurra Harris.

On April 14, 2022, Worthy was standing with a group of people when a car pulled up near them. A second car with Harris riding in it came up beside them and the driver of the second car stuck his head out of the window. People from the first car opened fire on Worthy and the people he was with, but Worthy and his group reportedly thought the shots came from the second car. Worthy and the people he was with started shooting at the second car and Harris was caught in the crossfire. Harris, who was six weeks pregnant, sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

Harris was transported to a hospital, where she died.

Six other people involved that day entered pleas for their role in the shooting. The sentences for the seven total defendants total a minimum of 130 1/2 years.

Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said, "Gun violence, particularly when it causes the death of someone caught in the crossfire, diminishes our entire community."

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